"All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich is anastounding work of Christian mysticism and a unique contribution to Christian theology. Julian's inspired insights resonate across the ages, speaking to us of the unconditional love and mercy of God with a passion that is irresistible. Julian's text is also the first book in English known to have been written by a woman. Thomas Merton called Julian “one of the most wonderful of all Christian voices” and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, termed the Revelations “the most important work of Christian reflections in the English language.” Yet despite Julian's worldwide popularity and great appeal, some readers have difficulty entering into her medieval mindset and understanding her mystical theology. They need a personal guide to explore the historical and religious context of her text in order to shed light on her Revelations. Veronica Mary Rolf, who has been studying Julian's text for decades, serves as a reliable guide for readers willing to take up and read the Revelations of Divine Love.With dramatic intensity, Rolf sets Julian's text in its tumultuous fourteenth century context and sheds light on each one of Julian's sixteen Revelations. Then she digs deeper into Julian's theological themes, including the innovative notion of the "motherhood of God." She also offers a chapter on developing and leading a retreat with Julian's Revelations, both for individuals and groups. Throughout, Rolf advocates taking a deeply contemplative approach to Julian's Revelations if we are to experience her profound realization that because God is Love, “all shall be well.”

Starred Review in Publishers Weekly, 4/9/18:"In this exquisite book, scholar of medieval studies Rolf (Julian’s Gospel) introduces medieval mystic and Christian theologian Julian of Norwich in all her astonishing brightness. The quote “all shall be well” is popular on bracelets and inspirational cards, but rarely given the context intended by its original author, Julian. Veronica Mary Rolf argues that Julian’s 16 mystical revelations (or “shewings”) from Christ should be studied alongside Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales—not least because she was the first woman to write a book (let alone a spiritual autobiography) in the English language. Rolf guides readers through the English Peasant Revolts, the Hundred Years’ War, the Great Papal Schism, and the Great Plague’s destruction of one-third of human life on Earth to establish the political and ecological collapse in which Julian prays and writes. She makes her case for why Julian was probably the daughter of a cloth merchant, educated in the public system of the time, and likely a mother and wife whose husband and child had died. Julian’s remarkable visions with Christ as mother, birthing his children, and the intricate cosmos revealed to her as a “common hazelnut” carry explosive spiritual power. Rolf plumbs Julian’s spiritual audacity in this must-read for those interested in medieval Christianity and literature."

Review by Richard Rohr, OFM, Center for Action and Contemplation, New Mexico:"The grand and optimistic vision of Lady Julian is fully presented and profoundly supported in this excellent guide by Veronica Mary Rolf. I have been fed for many years by Julian, but this is a new and generous feeding. It can serve as a first-time introduction to this marvelous mystic or a fifth-time deeper journey."

​Review in Magistra, Summer, 2018:Those of us who have been living with Julian's writings for a number of decades have good cause to be deeply grateful for the work of Veronica Mary Rolf (her book Julian's Gospel published by Orbis in 2013 has become a classic). An Explorer's Guide contextualizes Revelations of Divine Love succinctly yet by no means superficially. The author has a happy gift of knowing her readers' questions before they are asked; she is a trustworthy and profoundly reliable guide. She illuminates God's revelations to Julian and then digs more deeply into Julian's central themes. Her book closes with a chapter on developing a retreat centered on Julian's writings.-- Luke Penkett, CJN, The Julian Centre, Norwich, England

Review in Catholic San Francisco, 7/12/18:Rolf wrote “The Guide” at the invitation of her publisher, InterVarsity Academic Press, to lead a young audience to understand Julian’s life and to put her writings in a historical and theological context. “The Guide” is also excellent for readers of every age who want to begin a companionship with Julian. This extraordinary woman lived during the Hundred Years War and survived the Great Plague, which devastated Julian’s community and probably her family as well. When she was near death at the age of 30, she experienced visions of Christ on the cross that answered her burning questions about sin, suffering and salvation. She meditated on and wrote about these “Revelations,” seeking understanding for the rest of her life. . . .Rolf focuses on how the mystical dimension can illuminate our faith, if we allow it to do so. As a longtime teacher of Christian meditation, her mission is to bring the mystical experience into our lives today through the practice of contemplative prayer. Rolf even offers a chapter on making a retreat with Julian’s “Revelations.” . . .“Julian’s message is one of confirmation and affirmation. That is why she is so relevant to our times.” Women have joined men on the mystical path for centuries, but now is a time particularly in need of a woman’s perspective. Julian’s voice speaks to us across 600 years. It is a voice we need to hear. -- Liz Dossa, Mercy Center RetreatFor the complete review, see: https://www.catholic-sf.org/news/author-provides-personal-guide-to-julian-of-norwich-medieval-mystic

Review in Reading Religion, 11/2/18:For what Rolf has set out to do, namely, to guide the reader through the important elements of Julian's world and thought to bring to life this classic text for the lay reader, she has succeeded. The reader desiring to navigate Julian's text for the first time, to seek God's presence through it, and to engage the challenges and biggest questions of a life of faith will find in Rolf a knowledgeable, personable, inspiring and faithful guide. -- Brian Dant, Regent College​​More Reviews:​“With an encyclopedic knowledge unfolded with the lightest of touches in a beautiful, soigné text, Veronica Mary Rolf enables us to travel back in time and vividly inhabit Julian’s fourteenth-century Norwich as well as her remarkable life and writings. Rolf’s guide is so brilliant that when we reluctantly return to our equally troubled twenty-first century, Julian travels with us and intimately inhabits and transforms our world and outlook. Stunning, unforgettable, and life changing.”​--Right Reverend David Wilbourne, Honorary Assistant Bishop of York, England

"Rolf’s work is more than an informative guide by an expert in Julian scholarship. The reader begins to feel the heartbeat of this great mystic as the author works around key texts and highlights choice quotations. This could only have come from someone who is intimately acquainted with her. Whether one is a first-time or seasoned explorer, this book will not disappoint." -- Simon Chan, PhD, Earnest Lau Professor of Systematic Theology and Dean of Studies at Trinity Theological College, Singapore​"Veronica Mary Rolf skillfully reveals the historical significance and contemporary relevance of Julian of Norwich. In our renewed interest in the writings of Christian spirituality, Lady Julian can instruct us in the centrality of the Trinity, the nature of sin and grace, God’s providence, and suffering and prayer. Rolf serves as a wise and gentle guide to illuminate both first time and seasoned readers. This book is deeply learned and highly practical." --Tom Schwanda, PhD, Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Ministry at Wheaton College, Illinois

"Taking on the role of tour guide, Veronica Mary Rolf leads us on an engaging, vivid, and historically rich journey with Julian of Norwich. A figure both familiar and mystifying, Julian comes into view with gentle clarity through Rolf's accessible and deeply researched voice. I highly recommend this book to spiritual seekers, retreat leaders, and scholars alike."​-- Jennifer Davidson, PhD, Associate Professor of Theology & Worship, American Baptist Seminary of the West, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA​"Julian of Norwich is among the most radiant of Christian mystics. The radiance is all the brighter for Julian's frankness in questioning the darkness she experienced in her culture and in herself in a deeply troubled time. The unequivocal and insatiable love of God for all his creatures rings in her words throughout her book. Veronica Mary Rolf is a scholar with a deep heart that probes the mysteries Julian probes and uses her historical and textual research to shed clarity and light on Julian's teaching that speaks to our own time with increasing urgency." -- Andrew Marr, OSB, Abbot of St. Gregory's Abbey in Three Rivers, Michigan​"Julian of Norwich is an underappreciated gem—she belongs alongside Augustine and Aquinas as one of the greatest of Christian spiritual guides. Thanks to Veronica Mary Rolf, the life and teachings of this great mystic are more accessible than ever. An Explorer’s Guide to Julian of Norwichoffers a clear and insightful introduction to Julian, one of the treasures of our faith." -- Carl McColman, author of Befriending Silence and Answering the Contemplative Call

Also by Veronica Mary Rolf, the award winning​Julian's Gospel: Illuminating the Life & Revelations of Julian of NorwichOrbis Books: Maryknoll, NY

Julian's Gospelis an award-winning study of the Life and Revelations of Julian of Norwich, the beloved and highly influential fourteenth century Christian mystic. This is the first book to combine a detailed historical reconstruction of Julian's life in medieval Norwich with a comprehensive commentary on her Revelations in a new and faithful translation from the Middle English. Unlike other brief summaries of Julian's life and times, this book goes in-depth to uncover the political, cultural, social, and religious milieu that formed and deeply influenced her development as a woman and a mystic. Also unlike other textual companions to Julian's work that provide only short explanations of Middle English words, or merely footnote theological terms, this work gives the reader a detailed analysis of her writings, illuminating her ground-breaking mystical theology with extensive scholarship. Throughout, the book creates a strong dramatic arc for Julian's Revelations that interweaves her personal sufferings and burning questions with her visionary experiences, producing a compelling spiritual biography.

First Place Winner of THE CATHOLIC BOOK AWARDfrom The Catholic Press Association.

EXCELLENCE IN PUBLISHING AWARD for Biographyfrom The Association of Catholic Publishers.

GOLD NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDin the category of Religion/Western Spirituality.

First Place Winner of theNATIONAL INDIE "EXCELLENCE" AWARDin the category of Religion/Non Fiction.

"It is possible that Veronica Mary Rolf’s book will become the definitive work on Julian of Norwich. Her book is a masterpiece of scholarly historical research and amazing theological insight into Julian’s Revelations, one of the classics of medieval spirituality." Catholic Library World Quarterly

Certainly one of the best books on Julian of Norwich I’ve ever read. With a vast amount of research and a great deal of passion, Veronica Mary Rolf successfully recreates the world of the great mystic, provides careful explanations of Julian’s rich experiences in prayer, and, overall, paints a convincing portrait of one of the most remarkable women ever to have lived—and believed." James Martin, SJ, best-selling author of numerous books, including: "Jesus: A Pilgrimage."

Julian's Revelations take on a deeper personal nature and relevance when viewed through Rolf's historical, familial, and theological insights. The author deftly portrays a Julian of her time but for all time -- a voice that speaks to 21st century people with profound wisdom, faithful to Church teaching yet always plumbing its depths." Catholic Press Association First Place Award Citation.

"Writing [the book] was clearly a labor of love on the author's part, and as Julian's final chapter quite simply declares that "love is our lord's meaning" throughout the entire course of the revelations, so the book becomes an extended invitation to the audience to participate not only in the author's clearly evident love for Julian but in the divine love that Julian herself receives and reciprocates and conveys by her revelations "to a people who needed the most" -- because, as the author suggests in her closing words, 'we are that people.'" Catholic Books Review

[T]he prizes that her volume has garnered to date indicate that it has already been well-received as a popular introduction to the medieval anchoress and her work. That a new book about Julian should find such an audience speaks to the continuing capacity of her writings to reassure her readers that “al shal be wel, and al shal be wel, and al manner of thyng shal be wele.” ​London Times Literary Supplement